35mm vs 50mm lens

[Antipeko]

Hi!

I have a D80 camera and I want a lens to take pictures of people in possibly low light conditions (e.g. pictures of my little baby at home) without flash, and that it is fast enough to allow me to capture that special moment. Which lens would you recommend me? I guess the options are 35mm or 50mm prime lens? Any specific model or any other lens?

Thanks a lot!

[Frog]

I don't know what f/stops are available in 35mm. I have the 50mm f/1.8 and it does pretty good if you have subjects that can sit still. If you can afford to go with the 50mm f/1.4 I think it would be better. Babys wiggle a lot and you'll be able to get faster shutter speeds.
I don't know as I haven't used a 35 but my mind says the 50 would work better as you won't need to get as close to the subject. Just a thought.

[Xia_Ke]

Both focal lengths will allow you to catch the action. I guess the main difference will be the 35mm will allow you a wider shot but, the 50mm will be a little faster and a lot cheaper. The big question is, what is your budget for a lens? At Adorama, the 35mm F/2 will run you $319.95 while you can get a 50mm f/1.8 for $109.95 or a f/1.4 for $284.95.

[deckcadet]

You may want to have a look at the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX- the speed of a 50/1.4, wider focal length, good optics, and silent AF.

[Antipeko]

Thanks for your inputs!

I could probably afford to buy any of the lenses, including the Sigma 30mm (although it begins to be too much).
Assuming the money is no problem, I guess the options would be the Nikon 50mm f1.4 or the Sigma 30mm f1.4, since the Nikon 35mm f2 would probably be too slow and the Nikon 50mm f1.4 is a better option then the f1.8. Am I right here?

I want to shoot portraits as well as wholebody. Would both the Sigma 30mm and the Nikon 50mm work ok? Could the 50mm be too long sometimes (could you give me an example)? Isn't the Sigma 30mm too short? Or in other words, if I cannot finally afford the Sigma, what would the limitation of the 50mm be (compared to 30mm)?

Thanks!

[another view]

If you're shooting in low light, then a faster (maximum aperture) lens is better so choose an f1.4 over f1.8 or f2. F1.8 = 2/3 stop slower and f2 = one stop slower than f1.4 and in low light that can mean the difference from an acceptable shot and too much blur.

I've never used the 30mm, but the angle of view will be closer to that of a 50mm lens on a 35mm camera. The perspective is still that of a 30mm lens, so it'll be slightly wide. I think either would be OK but I don't have any experience doing what you're doing. Of the two lenses, I think I'd probably reach for the 50 first but that may be habit more than anything. You'll still be very close with a 50 based on subject size.

[Mule]

I recently picked up the Nikon 50 1.4 and have found in a number of cases the extra speed was worth the investment. I haven't been disappointed with the lens.

[DrRoebuck]

With your D80, the 35mm f/2 is equivalent to a "normal" lens on a film or full-frame camera. That's the very reason I chose it. And I love it. I have a 14mm f/2.8, 35-70mm f/2.8 and 80-200mm f/2.8, and the 35mm is my favorite (though it's certainly not a runaway). I had the 50mm f/1.4 for a few days and was not impressed. It did not perform well when stopped down and a had a lot more distortion than the 35mm. Even at the same aperture and focal length, the 35mm requires less light than my other lenses, including the 35-70mm, the 18-70mm and the 28-200mm (I don't use the last two anymore).

Here are some pics that I've recently shot with it:

[Antipeko]

I think I will finally buy both a Nikon 35mm f/2 and a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 (for the same price as the Sigma).

Do you think it is a good decision?

[DrRoebuck]

I think I will finally buy both a Nikon 35mm f/2 and a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 (for the same price as the Sigma).

Do you think it is a good decision?

Like I said, I had a 50mm for a few days and returned it. They're so close in focal length that it didn't seem worth it to me. Maybe the 35mm and the 85mm, or the 50mm and the 24, would make more sense.